In the wake of a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court Monday to not review the Wampanoag casino case, tribal leaders in Aquinnah said they are ready to move ahead on plans to build a bingo hall on the Island.

An upbeat tribal chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais told the Gazette Wednesday that the plan is to build a “modest” class two bingo facility. “We are not going to build a monstrosity,” she said, speaking to the Gazette by phone from New Mexico where she is attending a conference. Ms. Andrews Maltais said the planned bingo facility will not be in the tribal community center, but on some other tribal lands, still unspecified.

She confirmed that potential financial backers have come forward, and said the tribe will take its time to develop the facility and be sensitive to its Island neighbors. The long-term goal, Ms. Andrews-Maltais said is to build a full a casino facility on the mainland. “That had always been our long-term goal,” she said.

“We’re determined, slow and steady, but we will finish the race.”

On Monday in a two-word order — “certiorari denied” — the Supreme Court court refused to accept the case for review.

The court decision leaves intact a federal appeals court decision which said the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act superseded the 1987 Massachusetts Settlement Act’s provisions restricting gaming.

Meanwhile, the three Aquinnah selectmen and town administrator Jeffrey Madison met with their attorney Ronald H. Rappaport for about half an hour in executive session late Wednesday to discuss the court ruling.

Returning to open session, Mr. Rappaport made a statement on behalf of the board. “We want to congratulate the tribe. They won the lawsuit on the right to game,” he said. Mr. Rappaport said he had been contacted Wednesday by attorneys for the tribe and asked to begin a dialogue.

“The selectmen have authorized me to do that,” Mr. Rappaport said. “Then I will report back to the selectmen and we’ll take it from there. We’re hoping that the discussions will find common ground. We’re not looking at lawsuits right now.”

Selectman and board chairman Jim Newman also said the town plans no further legal action.

“The ball stops at the Supreme Court,” Mr. Newman said.

Asked to respond to the tribe’s confirmation of plans to build a bingo hall, selectman Juli Vanderhoop said:

“I think it was assumed. We don’t know where.”